Importance of Hydration

Lets turn our attention to water – & why should we drink it… lots of it

Water comprises more than 2/3 of your body – and, if we are properly hydrated, over 90% of the blood… more than you thought?..

So, it stands to reason – we ought to pay attention to this reserve – replenish it sufficiently and mindfully

What do we stand to gain – or lose…?

It energises us.Next time you’re feeling worn out, try drinking a couple glasses of water. Feeling tired is one of the first signs of dehydration and filling back up on water could zap the sleepiness

In colder weather, follow the Dalai Lama’s habit of drinking warm or hot water in a mug. The body has to work less hard to warm up water that is already heated to use it for all the tasks that require this essential liquid.

It can improve mood.Drinking water makes us feel so refreshed that it actually improves our state of mind. You don’t even have to be severely in need of it to benefit: Even mild dehydration has been shown to negatively impact moods .

It helps us think more clearly.Dehydration causes shrinkage of brain tissue. So when we haven’t been drinking enough water, our brains have to work a lot harder to perform at the same level . Studies have shown that students who brought water to tests did better on their exams.

It could aid weight loss.Anyone looking to lose weight could be helped by upping their water intake. Studies have demonstrated that when participants drink water before a meal, they lose weight faster than those who did not drink water. Extra water helps us eat less by making us feel full, and it may also boost metabolism – you may put on weight by mistaking thirst for hunger

It keeps things moving, digestion-wise.Water helps to dissolve fats and soluble fibre in the intestine. Drinking enough water prevents constipation and also reduces the burden on the kidneys and liver by helping to flush waste products.

It protects our joints and cartilage.Water keeps the cartilage around our joints hydrated and supple – cartilage is approximately 85% water – ensuring that our joints stay lubricated. It also protects our spinal cord and tissues, keeping us healthy from the inside out.

Gargling keeps you healthier.A study that followed 400 participants during cold and flu season found that those who gargled water regularly were significantly less likely to contact upper respiratory infections and that when they did, their symptoms weren’t as severe

Eating it hydrates usWater-rich fruits and vegetables like cucumber, watermelon, and strawberries contain many vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars the body needs for optimum hydration levels, so eating them can sometimes re-hydrate us more effectively (and a lot more tastily) than water alone, so if you’re looking for a way to supplement your water intake head for the fruit and veg

& finally if you’re not putting water in you, then put you in the water

Soaking in a warm bath or shower may make us feel less lonely…!Researchers have observed that when people are lonely and seeking comfort, they spend more time in warm baths and showers, substituting physical warmth for emotional warmth. Doing so seems to ease loneliness and feelings of isolation.

Warm baths may cue the release oxytocin, the hormone responsible for making us feel relaxed- typically released when we’re experiencing closeness to others, researchers believe that rises in body temperature can cause it to be released too

A warm footbath before bed could help you sleep – one small study found that adults with sleeping problems experienced better sleep and less wakefulness on nights they received a warm water foot bath before going to bed.